Achieving a Work/Life Balance: Can it Be Done?

Finding the right work/life balance that works for you is one of the greatest challenges any professional will encounter. I don’t know about you, but even when I’m trying to relax, I find that my mind is going a mile a minute, calculating what I need to accomplish, even when I’m trying to spend time with my family and friends.

If you’re struggling to balance your work life and your personal life, you’re not alone. With the mounting pressures of a busier work season in September, here are some of the best tips I can offer for attaining a better sense of balance in your life.

Self-Discovery: Probing your needs

Everyone has a different idea of what “balance” in their life looks like. I’ve found that many individuals, including those who have demanding professional lives, feel like balance is impossible to achieve. Although it may be difficult to achieve an optimal, healthy balance, discovering your own needs as an individual could be the key to a better state of mind.

After asking yourself what you need for your sense of balance, I recommend setting some time aside every day to do something that you enjoy, either on your own or with your family. You may find that the small adjustment where you are the primary focus, as opposed to your work, is beneficial for your mental health.

Determine when to get to work, and when to step away

Once you have a better idea of what you need to do to achieve balance on a day-by-day basis, it’s essential that you commit to it. I’ve heard from many individuals that even when they’ve committed to attaining their work/life balance, they still have a million tasks on their mind that refuse to give way for moments of peace and quiet.

When making a commitment to your mental health, it’s essential that you recognize when you’re running on empty. If you’re trying to power through some work, and you find that it’s becoming difficult to concentrate, and that your stress is elevating, it may be time to consider stepping back, even for a few moments. A temporary breather, or even a vacation, can do wonders for your state of mind.

Self-Compassion: Honouring your mental health

Although I’ve talked about the importance of putting your mental health first, it bears repeating, especially when it comes to your work/life balance. You may have a lot on your plate, but investing in your mental health and ensuring that you put your wellness first is the best way to assure that you won’t just have better peace of mind – you’ll also be more productive in the future.

In my experience, I’ve seen the benefits of prioritizing mental health firsthand, especially when it’s considered as important as one’s physical health. That’s the key. Many individuals that I’ve worked with who have made the conclusive steps towards exercising better self-care have found that by simply prioritizing their mental health, they’ve been able to achieve more in their professional lives as well. As an added bonus, they’ve found that they’ve felt better physically!

A healthy work/life balance can be incredibly elusive. It’s a challenge for any dedicated professional to achieve, but by setting time aside every day for yourself, and by prioritizing your mental health, you may find that you’ll have a greater chance of feeling more balanced in your life overall.

For more information on how you can find your perfect balance, speak with your Student or Employee Assistance Program provider today.